THE FRIENDS, THE INFLUENCES, AND THE INFLUENCED


Dylan led a very sociable life whilst at New Quay. Although the Town's population at the time as only just over 1,000 New Quay was full of clever, educated and fascinating people.Dylan quickly emersed himself into the everyday life of the small Welsh sea side community, enjoying his daily chats with the locals during his walks, gossiping with the retired sailors in the back rooms of local shops, and adding to and drawing from the literary and drinking group of people who became friends.

People ranging from the aristocracy, to the landed gentry, including artists, writers, and actors.A few of particular note are referred to below.

Lord Howard de Walden: an extremely weathy man, and great patron of the arts, he lived at a (haunted) mansion called Plas Llanina, situated just ouside New Quay.

Dylan had previously benefitted (circa 1938/39) from Lord Howard de Waldens patronage by making use of the Apple House in the mansions grounds as a quiet place to work. Another to benefit from this patronage was the painter Augustus John who had also been allowed use of the family chapel as a makeshift studio.Augustus had been Cailin's first lover (she later described how he had lauched himself at her when she was only 15), and he was to paint one of the most famous portraits of Dylan.

Caitlin Thomas (nee Macnamara): still to this day over-shadowed by her famous husband, Caitlin was a trained dancer, and had aspirations of her own as a writer and poet.Caitlin caused scandal in the town by the manner in which she dressed, and how she often went off drinking on her own (the Dolau pub was her favourite) leaving poor little daughter Aeronwy in her pram in the Black Lion (Dylan's favourite pub).Double standards perhaps by todays views of sexual equality-after all, where was Dylan?

Jack Patrick: Landlord of the Black Lion, an avid reader who loved literature, and a clourful character, with stories of how he once rode his horse into the bar.His donkey "Maisie" apparently liked a tipple also and was said to often be found drunk in the Blue Bell pub by the harbour.Patrick later said "Dylan was just interested in people, any character at all, and listened to them, and busy with his notes at all times.."   
                                               
Richard Burton: as a lifelong fan of Dylan the young actor was on occasion seen drinking with Dylan in the Blue Bell.Burton was later to relate how dylan "...was an extraordinary talker..the best talker I think I ever knew. One spent hours with Dylan just to hear him talk."      (It's not known whether "Maisie" ever joined them).

 Alistair Graham: lived at Plas y Wern, a large mansion just outside New Quay.He had been
Evelyn Waugh's lover, and was the basis for Sebastian Flyte in "Brideshead Revisited". He had been forced to resign from the diplomatic service after a gay sex scandal.He moved to the Wern in 1936 and stayed there for the rest of his life.Perhaps another unfortunate example of how, now thankfully bygone, prejudices could effect a persons life. Graham was well liked in the Town for his community efforts, and his house party guests included a wide range of people, including royalty (it is said that Edward VIII visited), writers, artists, fashion designers, spies and diplomats.Henry Tudor is reported to have slept in the house whilst on his way to the Battle of Bosworth.  
         William and Vera Killick:  Dylan and Vera (nee Phillips) had been childhood friends and early school mates, living only streets apart in Swansea. When Vera married William in August 1943 at the Chelsea Register Office Dylan had been best man, and the marriage certificate was witnessed by Caitlin. William was to see active service in the SOE in Greece. Dylan was to benefit from both financial support and practical help from his friends. This was to come to an abrupt end after the events of March 6th 1945.

John Lennon:What!!?  Ok, not really,although I can't help but think that John would have fitted very nicely into the mix (long haired weirdo poet who drank too much). Paul McCartney has stated "We all used to like Dylan Thomas.I read him a lot.I think that John started writing because of him".                                                                               
                          Influences never end.